Jamaica Hills Bleeds: Two Dead, Hundreds Hurt—When Will City Hall Wake Up?

May 13 - SUV hit a 62-year-old man at Highland and 169th. His leg broke. Police cite following too closely and driver inattention. Streets stay dangerous for those on foot.

A station wagon/SUV struck a 62-year-old pedestrian at the intersection of Highland Avenue and 169th Street in Queens. The man suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The driver and a passenger, both 39-year-old women, were also involved but reported unspecified injuries. The police report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left the pedestrian hurt and exposed the ongoing risks to people walking city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 11 - SUV reversed into moving cars on Grand Central Parkway. Two drivers injured, one with head trauma. Police cite unsafe backing, tailgating, and reaction to other vehicles.

On Grand Central Parkway in Queens, an SUV backed unsafely into traffic, striking several eastbound vehicles. Two drivers suffered injuries—one to the back, another to the head. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Backing Unsafely,' 'Following Too Closely,' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal issues. Systemic danger persists when drivers reverse into active lanes and follow too closely, putting everyone at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - A sedan hit an e-bike in Queens. The cyclist was thrown and injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal met flesh. The street stayed silent.

A sedan and an e-bike collided at 160-05 Highland Avenue in Queens. The e-bike rider, a 40-year-old man, was ejected and suffered abrasions across his body. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The data lists no other contributing factors before noting helmet use. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.

Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.

• Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-07

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 2 - A driver ran a red. He sped through Queens. He hit Justin Diaz, heading to work. Diaz died. The driver, Michael Peña, faced jail, then release. The family mourns. The street remains dangerous. The system moves on.

NY Daily News reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former firefighter, was released from jail after being charged in a fatal crash. Police said Peña drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light, t-boning Justin Diaz near LaGuardia Airport. Peña had a history of 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The article quotes Diaz's brother: "We're sick, angry, disgusted." Peña was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The release followed an appellate judge's decision, despite community outrage. The case highlights persistent dangers from high-speed driving and repeated violations, raising questions about enforcement and bail decisions.

• Red Light Crash Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-02

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.

• Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision, Patch, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 25 - Two sedans slammed together at unsafe speed. Three people hurt. Whiplash and shock. Metal twisted. The road did not forgive.

Two sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway near 168 Street. Three occupants suffered injuries, including whiplash and trauma to the entire body. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Unsafe Speed.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left metal bent and people shaken. The report lists no other contributing factors before speed. Helmet use or signals are not mentioned as causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 25 - A Yamaha motorcycle hit Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard before dawn. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider stayed. The street stayed open. The city stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 25, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was killed crossing Myrtle Avenue at Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens around 2:20 a.m. A 34-year-old man riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle northbound in the center lane struck her. Police said, "The motorcyclist remained at the scene." Henderson was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The crash highlights the persistent risk for pedestrians on wide, high-speed corridors like Woodhaven Boulevard. No information was provided about charges or contributing factors, but the fatal impact underscores the dangers faced by people crossing major city streets.

• Motorcycle Kills Pedestrian On Woodhaven Blvd, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-25

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - Three people hurt as sedans collide at speed on Van Wyck Expressway. Shoulders and necks take the blow. Police cite unsafe speed. Metal twists. Pain follows.

Three people were injured when sedans crashed on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. According to the police report, the collision involved multiple vehicles traveling straight ahead. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. A 43-year-old front passenger suffered shoulder injuries, a 54-year-old driver reported neck pain, and a 26-year-old driver sustained abrasions to the shoulder. All were conscious after the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.

• Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 16 - A moped and SUV collided on Queens Boulevard. Two people hurt. Police cite improper lane use and failure to yield. One driver unlicensed. Impact left a passenger with head injury.

A moped and an SUV crashed at 140-25 Queens Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, two people were injured: a 19-year-old moped driver suffered arm abrasions, and a 75-year-old SUV passenger sustained a concussion. Police list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed. The SUV’s left front bumper and the moped’s center front end took the impact. No helmet use or signaling issues were cited. The crash highlights the risks when drivers fail to yield and misuse lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - A sedan hit a 24-year-old man crossing 164 St at 84 Ave. He had the signal. He was bruised, conscious, hurt across his body. Police cite driver inattention. The street failed him.

A 24-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a sedan struck him at the intersection of 164 St and 84 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the sedan, traveling north, hit him with its center front end. The man suffered bruises to his entire body but remained conscious. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806493 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 13 - A sedan rear-ended a stopped SUV on 138th Street. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. An infant rode with her. Police cite driver distraction and inexperience as causes.

A sedan crashed into the rear of a stopped SUV near 138th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens. The SUV’s driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. An infant was also in the SUV. According to the police report, 'Driver distraction marked the moment.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan struck the SUV’s back end while the SUV was stopped in traffic. No blame is placed on the injured or their passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Box truck struck SUV from behind. Five men hurt. One passenger suffered back injury and whiplash. Police cite following too closely and unsafe lane change.

A box truck hit a station wagon/SUV on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. Five male occupants were injured, including a 51-year-old passenger with back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The box truck struck the SUV’s left rear bumper with its center front end. All drivers were licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19